Disclaimer: I no own, you no sue.
*`*`*`**`*`*`
Author's Note: Hey all. Nothin' much to say, besides Happy Hanukkah ,Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Cheery Kitty Love Day and what have you. Oh, apologies for the numerous scene changes in this chapter, I'm starting to get a little bit lazy.
A special thank you goes out to Warior, s/he seems to be the only person reading and reviewing here. Please review after you've read the story or if you've already reviewed, send one on an updated chapter. It's not that hard! Watch!
*sends herself review it reads;
NeoNaoNeo
Hey NeoNaoNeo, you are so awesome! And you have the coolest desktop EVER! Plus Kurt Wagner, Bakura and Kurama are fighting over you! Keep up the good work you hottie!
See? Not that hard! Well, now that my ego has increased three sizes, enjoy the story!
*`*`*`*`*`*`**`
"Exactly, what is the purpose of a rubber duck?"~Mr. Weasley, 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'
*`*`*`**`*`*`*`
Chapter 11: Mist Guardian
*`*`*`*`**`*`*`
"Have a good time?" Kuja asked the waltz, crossing his arms. Ipsen nodded. "Good, well I need you to go to the Outer Continent."
"Alright," Ipsen said submissively.
"You have two things to do there," Kuja continued. "First, you are to revive a creature within the Iifa tree, a creature by the name of Soul Cage."
"How will I find it?"
"The Iifa tree is very easy to find, the pilot of the airship knows where it is." Kuja shrugged. "SoulCage can easily be mistaken for a fallen tree or Stromper, but his body would not have decayed over the years. You can revive him with a Death spell."
"Alright," Ipsen said.
"The next thing you are to do," Kuja grinned. "There is a small village in a dead forest inhabited by genomes and black mages. I want you destroy it, leave no survivors, except for a girl by the name of Mikoto. I need you to capture her and bring her to me."
Ipsen once again nodded. "Now go, there's an airship outside town. The pilot's name is Sirus."
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
The ride across the ocean and to the Outer Continent was surprisingly fast and smooth. It was mid morning by time they had reached the Iifa Tree, the sky was slightly over cast with thin wisps and bunches of white clouds. Ipsen watched as the scenery sped below from the deck of the small airship. As they neared the Iifa Tree, the clouds become more dense and shadowy, when the airship jerked to a halt. It had landed on a high plateau near the tree and the pilot signaled to Ipsen. "Sorry! This is as close as we'll be able to get!" the pilot called. "I'll be here until you're done, okay?"
"Alright," Ipsen replied with a grunt. He spread his wings and gave them a few sturdy flaps, lifting himself well off the wooden deck. With a swift and controlled snap of his left wing, Ipsen spun around and began making his way towards the Iifa Tree.
Ipsen looked the tree over, its shape reminded him of a wiry skeleton, gnarled roots and vines made bridges and passages to the trunk. Draco Zombies still lived among the brambles, although they were few and sparse in number, adding to the dead feeling of the tree as a whole. Ipsen made an uneasy descent toward an opening in the trunk of the tree, hoping he wouldn't catch the attention of any monsters.
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
The inside of the Iifa Tree was even less inviting than the outside, every wall and crevice seemed to be alive with insects and rodents. Ipsen began exploring, looking for a passage to go deeper into the tree, but to no avail. The waltz sighed and sat down on the ground.
"Kuja sent me on a wild goose chase it looks like," Ipsen grumbled, and then noticed a strange pattern on the ground near him, like a large, elaborately decorated circle, although it was worn and covered with withered vines. He leaned over and placed his hand on it. The patterns glowed for a few moments and then faded away. Ipsen smiled.
He quickly got up and cautiously put a foot on the circle. The vines cracked and broke as the panel began a slow and calm descent, going lower and lower into the ground. Ipsen quickly jumped on it before it got too far down. It wasn't before long that Ipsen found himself stepping off the odd elevator and onto the bramble floor once again. Eerie green lanterns hung from the wall, illuminating the otherwise dark corridor.
At the end, there was a large, green, spiral pillar leading downwards to a trickling spring. Ipsen leaned over the edge near the odd pillar, seeing how far down it went. He spread his wings once again and let himself fall over the edge.
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
Ipsen nearly fell into the brook of shimmering green water, the fall was so long it almost felt natural after the first thirty seconds. But Ipsen caught sight of the quickly approaching water, stiffened his wings and flew up to an overhanging perch. He couldn't help but watch the water for a few moments. It felt so familiar....like a long forgotten story he had been told many years ago....He shook off this feeling of recognition and clambered up a ladder. Ipsen spotted the creature he was to revive. The waltz walked cautiously across the bramble floor, keeping a tight grip on his staff.
The creature that once refined and circulated the Mist, SoulCage, lay in a large heap in the middle of the massive chamber, shoulders hunched pathetically. Ipsen murmured the incantation to the Death spell, but the creature remained still. A few moments passed before the sound of trickling water echoed throughout the room. Ipsen turned back, noticing that the water was now flowing over a branch to the pool below like a miniature waterfall. He turned his gaze back to SoulCage when a low, inhuman, growling groan joined the sound of trickling water.
The creature rose to full height, its mouth opening and closing rhythmically. SoulCage was slightly dazed from this sudden revival, but caught sight of the waltz and chuckled, immediately awake. His sly voice filled Ipsen's mind as he spoke. "To whom am I indebted to mage?"
"I was sent by Kuja," Ipsen replied. He quickly added, "And I am Black Waltz Number 4, not some black mage."
SoulCage snorted a harsh laugh. "It's all the same, you're all the same," SoulCage mused. "Kuja you say? On what conditions was my revival?"
"None to my knowledge." Ipsen responded, beginning to feel offended by this creature's ignorant attitude. Same as a black mage indeed!
"I grow weary of you," SoulCage yawned. "Go now, before I get rid of you."
Ipsen was taken back by this contemptuous statement, but he complied. The waltz spread his wings and flew up the trunk. SoulCage chuckled. "I'm onto you Kuja. I'll let you have fun with your game for awhile and then I'll make sure you don't threaten my planet anymore."
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
The clouds were beginning to cluster together as Ipsen easily coasted on the air currents over the dying forest. He squinted his eyes, searching for any clearing or sign of a village. He then noticed an odd spot of trees that looked ill colored, thinner than the rest. It had to be the village Kuja told him about. He drew his wings closer to him and dove into the thicket.
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
A few genomes loitered about the hidden village, their children running about cheerfully despite the looming rain clouds. Mr. 288, the sole survivor of the black mages from Alexandria's attack, leaned against a pillar near his usual post at the cemetery. He looked up to the sky, watching the rain clouds rolling along. One of the genome children ran to the black mage, jet black hair swaying and amber eyes brimming with tears. It was Mr. 734's daughter, and Mr. 288 always had a particular soft spot for the yellow-eyed girl.
"Mr. 288!" she cried, clinging to his waistcoat.
"What's wrong Mia?" Mr. 288 asked and put an arm around the girl's back.
"There's a black mage and he has wings and he's scary." Mia reported softly.
Mr. 288 chuckled. "Wings you say?"
She nodded. "Big blue ones with a spot."
"Don't worry, that's Ipsen," Mr. 288 explained, smoothing the child's hair. "He's a friend of mine's son."
"But he's..." Mia started off, but was interrupted by a clap of thunder and a peel of lightning, followed by collective screams.
Mikoto ran out of a nearby hut, her golden brown hair now hung to mid-back. "What happened?" she panted.
"I don't know," Mr. 288 told her, grabbing his staff. He noticed smoke and the tips of flames, the smell of burning corpses contaminating the air. His eyes grew with terror. "Oh my God..."
Mikoto looked to Mia. "Go hide in the forest, get as many people out of here as possible." she instructed firmly. The young girl nodded and ran off. Mikoto unsheathed her dagger and glanced to Mr. 288.
The mage returned her gaze and the two began running toward the entrance of the village.
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
The buildings easily caught on fire, the wood and straw was quickly devoured by the flames, spreading like an epidemic. The genome inhabitants either stood their ground and tried to fight the waltz off or tried to flee. Either way, they were easily killed and defeated, Ipsen savoring the sound of their screams and the stench of their charred bodies. He cackled mercilessly as he raised himself off the ground to pick off any survivors that may have escaped into the wood, but a twist of flames surrounded him in mid-air and caused him to fall to the dusty earth below. Mr. 288 was glaring at the waltz, hand upraised for another attack.
Mr. 288 narrowed his eyes. "What are you doing here?" he asked calmly, although it was said with a contemptuous air. Ipsen stood up, his wings hanging limply at his sides for the moment. The waltz chuckled and lifted his appendages onto his back, as though it proved he was superior to the black mage before him.
"I was sent to destroy this village," he replied solemnly. "And all of its inhabitants. Thundaga!"
"Mr. 288!" Mikoto shouted as she picked up on Ipsen's spell. Against her better judgment, she shoved Mr. 288 out of the way of the deadly spell, getting caught in it herself.
The black mage stumbled and fell, but picked himself up in time to see Mikoto be torn apart by the spell. "Mikoto!" he cried and reached toward her, but he was too late. The genome fell to the ground, her life extinguished. Mr. 288, feeling as helpless as he did the day he escaped from Queen Brahne's ranks, knelt down beside her. His eyes were filling with tears. "Mikoto..." he murmured.
"So, this girl is the one they call Mikoto," Ipsen mused, suddenly remembering he was supposed to capture her....alive. He gulped. Kuja would have his head for this screw-up.
Mr. 288 glared at Ipsen, his eyes still full of tears. The black waltz looked around him, all the buildings were ablaze, the dead lay in heaps on the dusty roads. Ipsen spread his wings, utterly humbled by this mistake and headed back to the airship.
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
Author's Note: Okay, I'll have a special surprise for you guys if you review for this chapter!!! It has to do with Christmas and black mages and little chibi anime people! I think I'm coming down with the flu or somethin', so hopefully I'll get out of skool until Friday, (today's Wed. Dec. 10). I've already written up to chapter 13, but it always sucks in my notebook so it takes me awhile to type. Oh well! Peace out y'all.
~NeoNaoNeo
*`*`*`**`*`*`
Author's Note: Hey all. Nothin' much to say, besides Happy Hanukkah ,Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Cheery Kitty Love Day and what have you. Oh, apologies for the numerous scene changes in this chapter, I'm starting to get a little bit lazy.
A special thank you goes out to Warior, s/he seems to be the only person reading and reviewing here. Please review after you've read the story or if you've already reviewed, send one on an updated chapter. It's not that hard! Watch!
*sends herself review it reads;
NeoNaoNeo
Hey NeoNaoNeo, you are so awesome! And you have the coolest desktop EVER! Plus Kurt Wagner, Bakura and Kurama are fighting over you! Keep up the good work you hottie!
See? Not that hard! Well, now that my ego has increased three sizes, enjoy the story!
*`*`*`*`*`*`**`
"Exactly, what is the purpose of a rubber duck?"~Mr. Weasley, 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets'
*`*`*`**`*`*`*`
Chapter 11: Mist Guardian
*`*`*`*`**`*`*`
"Have a good time?" Kuja asked the waltz, crossing his arms. Ipsen nodded. "Good, well I need you to go to the Outer Continent."
"Alright," Ipsen said submissively.
"You have two things to do there," Kuja continued. "First, you are to revive a creature within the Iifa tree, a creature by the name of Soul Cage."
"How will I find it?"
"The Iifa tree is very easy to find, the pilot of the airship knows where it is." Kuja shrugged. "SoulCage can easily be mistaken for a fallen tree or Stromper, but his body would not have decayed over the years. You can revive him with a Death spell."
"Alright," Ipsen said.
"The next thing you are to do," Kuja grinned. "There is a small village in a dead forest inhabited by genomes and black mages. I want you destroy it, leave no survivors, except for a girl by the name of Mikoto. I need you to capture her and bring her to me."
Ipsen once again nodded. "Now go, there's an airship outside town. The pilot's name is Sirus."
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
The ride across the ocean and to the Outer Continent was surprisingly fast and smooth. It was mid morning by time they had reached the Iifa Tree, the sky was slightly over cast with thin wisps and bunches of white clouds. Ipsen watched as the scenery sped below from the deck of the small airship. As they neared the Iifa Tree, the clouds become more dense and shadowy, when the airship jerked to a halt. It had landed on a high plateau near the tree and the pilot signaled to Ipsen. "Sorry! This is as close as we'll be able to get!" the pilot called. "I'll be here until you're done, okay?"
"Alright," Ipsen replied with a grunt. He spread his wings and gave them a few sturdy flaps, lifting himself well off the wooden deck. With a swift and controlled snap of his left wing, Ipsen spun around and began making his way towards the Iifa Tree.
Ipsen looked the tree over, its shape reminded him of a wiry skeleton, gnarled roots and vines made bridges and passages to the trunk. Draco Zombies still lived among the brambles, although they were few and sparse in number, adding to the dead feeling of the tree as a whole. Ipsen made an uneasy descent toward an opening in the trunk of the tree, hoping he wouldn't catch the attention of any monsters.
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
The inside of the Iifa Tree was even less inviting than the outside, every wall and crevice seemed to be alive with insects and rodents. Ipsen began exploring, looking for a passage to go deeper into the tree, but to no avail. The waltz sighed and sat down on the ground.
"Kuja sent me on a wild goose chase it looks like," Ipsen grumbled, and then noticed a strange pattern on the ground near him, like a large, elaborately decorated circle, although it was worn and covered with withered vines. He leaned over and placed his hand on it. The patterns glowed for a few moments and then faded away. Ipsen smiled.
He quickly got up and cautiously put a foot on the circle. The vines cracked and broke as the panel began a slow and calm descent, going lower and lower into the ground. Ipsen quickly jumped on it before it got too far down. It wasn't before long that Ipsen found himself stepping off the odd elevator and onto the bramble floor once again. Eerie green lanterns hung from the wall, illuminating the otherwise dark corridor.
At the end, there was a large, green, spiral pillar leading downwards to a trickling spring. Ipsen leaned over the edge near the odd pillar, seeing how far down it went. He spread his wings once again and let himself fall over the edge.
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
Ipsen nearly fell into the brook of shimmering green water, the fall was so long it almost felt natural after the first thirty seconds. But Ipsen caught sight of the quickly approaching water, stiffened his wings and flew up to an overhanging perch. He couldn't help but watch the water for a few moments. It felt so familiar....like a long forgotten story he had been told many years ago....He shook off this feeling of recognition and clambered up a ladder. Ipsen spotted the creature he was to revive. The waltz walked cautiously across the bramble floor, keeping a tight grip on his staff.
The creature that once refined and circulated the Mist, SoulCage, lay in a large heap in the middle of the massive chamber, shoulders hunched pathetically. Ipsen murmured the incantation to the Death spell, but the creature remained still. A few moments passed before the sound of trickling water echoed throughout the room. Ipsen turned back, noticing that the water was now flowing over a branch to the pool below like a miniature waterfall. He turned his gaze back to SoulCage when a low, inhuman, growling groan joined the sound of trickling water.
The creature rose to full height, its mouth opening and closing rhythmically. SoulCage was slightly dazed from this sudden revival, but caught sight of the waltz and chuckled, immediately awake. His sly voice filled Ipsen's mind as he spoke. "To whom am I indebted to mage?"
"I was sent by Kuja," Ipsen replied. He quickly added, "And I am Black Waltz Number 4, not some black mage."
SoulCage snorted a harsh laugh. "It's all the same, you're all the same," SoulCage mused. "Kuja you say? On what conditions was my revival?"
"None to my knowledge." Ipsen responded, beginning to feel offended by this creature's ignorant attitude. Same as a black mage indeed!
"I grow weary of you," SoulCage yawned. "Go now, before I get rid of you."
Ipsen was taken back by this contemptuous statement, but he complied. The waltz spread his wings and flew up the trunk. SoulCage chuckled. "I'm onto you Kuja. I'll let you have fun with your game for awhile and then I'll make sure you don't threaten my planet anymore."
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
The clouds were beginning to cluster together as Ipsen easily coasted on the air currents over the dying forest. He squinted his eyes, searching for any clearing or sign of a village. He then noticed an odd spot of trees that looked ill colored, thinner than the rest. It had to be the village Kuja told him about. He drew his wings closer to him and dove into the thicket.
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
A few genomes loitered about the hidden village, their children running about cheerfully despite the looming rain clouds. Mr. 288, the sole survivor of the black mages from Alexandria's attack, leaned against a pillar near his usual post at the cemetery. He looked up to the sky, watching the rain clouds rolling along. One of the genome children ran to the black mage, jet black hair swaying and amber eyes brimming with tears. It was Mr. 734's daughter, and Mr. 288 always had a particular soft spot for the yellow-eyed girl.
"Mr. 288!" she cried, clinging to his waistcoat.
"What's wrong Mia?" Mr. 288 asked and put an arm around the girl's back.
"There's a black mage and he has wings and he's scary." Mia reported softly.
Mr. 288 chuckled. "Wings you say?"
She nodded. "Big blue ones with a spot."
"Don't worry, that's Ipsen," Mr. 288 explained, smoothing the child's hair. "He's a friend of mine's son."
"But he's..." Mia started off, but was interrupted by a clap of thunder and a peel of lightning, followed by collective screams.
Mikoto ran out of a nearby hut, her golden brown hair now hung to mid-back. "What happened?" she panted.
"I don't know," Mr. 288 told her, grabbing his staff. He noticed smoke and the tips of flames, the smell of burning corpses contaminating the air. His eyes grew with terror. "Oh my God..."
Mikoto looked to Mia. "Go hide in the forest, get as many people out of here as possible." she instructed firmly. The young girl nodded and ran off. Mikoto unsheathed her dagger and glanced to Mr. 288.
The mage returned her gaze and the two began running toward the entrance of the village.
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
The buildings easily caught on fire, the wood and straw was quickly devoured by the flames, spreading like an epidemic. The genome inhabitants either stood their ground and tried to fight the waltz off or tried to flee. Either way, they were easily killed and defeated, Ipsen savoring the sound of their screams and the stench of their charred bodies. He cackled mercilessly as he raised himself off the ground to pick off any survivors that may have escaped into the wood, but a twist of flames surrounded him in mid-air and caused him to fall to the dusty earth below. Mr. 288 was glaring at the waltz, hand upraised for another attack.
Mr. 288 narrowed his eyes. "What are you doing here?" he asked calmly, although it was said with a contemptuous air. Ipsen stood up, his wings hanging limply at his sides for the moment. The waltz chuckled and lifted his appendages onto his back, as though it proved he was superior to the black mage before him.
"I was sent to destroy this village," he replied solemnly. "And all of its inhabitants. Thundaga!"
"Mr. 288!" Mikoto shouted as she picked up on Ipsen's spell. Against her better judgment, she shoved Mr. 288 out of the way of the deadly spell, getting caught in it herself.
The black mage stumbled and fell, but picked himself up in time to see Mikoto be torn apart by the spell. "Mikoto!" he cried and reached toward her, but he was too late. The genome fell to the ground, her life extinguished. Mr. 288, feeling as helpless as he did the day he escaped from Queen Brahne's ranks, knelt down beside her. His eyes were filling with tears. "Mikoto..." he murmured.
"So, this girl is the one they call Mikoto," Ipsen mused, suddenly remembering he was supposed to capture her....alive. He gulped. Kuja would have his head for this screw-up.
Mr. 288 glared at Ipsen, his eyes still full of tears. The black waltz looked around him, all the buildings were ablaze, the dead lay in heaps on the dusty roads. Ipsen spread his wings, utterly humbled by this mistake and headed back to the airship.
*`*`*`*`*`*`*`*`
Author's Note: Okay, I'll have a special surprise for you guys if you review for this chapter!!! It has to do with Christmas and black mages and little chibi anime people! I think I'm coming down with the flu or somethin', so hopefully I'll get out of skool until Friday, (today's Wed. Dec. 10). I've already written up to chapter 13, but it always sucks in my notebook so it takes me awhile to type. Oh well! Peace out y'all.
~NeoNaoNeo